Forward with the Brussels hospitality industry
The hospitality industry is our city's living room. A place where people meet, where neighbourhoods come alive and where thousands of people work hard every day. Bars and terraces make Brussels the city it is. The hospitality industry is the beating heart of our neighbourhoods. But today it is under pressure.
Vooruit wants to do something about it.
✓ End to stranglehold contracts for bars and restaurants
✓ Protecting legendary cafés from takeovers and displacement
✓ Permanent terraces in parking spaces where possible
✓ Maintaining electric terrace heaters as a sustainable alternative
✓ Clear rules via the ‘agent of change’ principle for liveable neighbourhoods
Brussels cafés are part of our heritage
More and more fascinating or typically Brussels cafés are disappearing. What will take their place? Chains without character, with standard prices and little connection to the neighbourhood. At the same time, we notice how difficult it has become to just have an drink at an affordable price or to find a neighbourhood café where you feel at home.
We want to protect legendary bars from being taken over and displaced by big chains. Many operators are stuck in stranglehold contracts with breweries or want to launch a new concept but come up against a monopoly by big landlords. This makes creative enterprise difficult and pushes small players out of the market. We want to put an end to this.
From parking space to meeting place
The usefulness of our living room in the city became clear once again during the lockdown. Since covid, terraces are more important than ever. As soon as there is a brief dry spell, they are full. They not only make our neighbourhood more pleasant but also safer. More people on a terrace is more social control. This is why Vooruit wants to perpetuate the success of parking terraces and allow permanent terraces on car parks enable.
Terraces make our city warmer
A cosy terrace should also be comfortable. Especially in spring or autumn or with our changeable Belgian weather, heating is not an excessive luxury. Therefore, we think complete abolition is a step too far. Gas burners emit greenhouse gases and should eventually disappear,but banning electric terrace heaters while they do not emit CO₂ is illogical and unjust. It penalises not only the owners, but also Brussels residents who want to enjoy a cosy terrace.
Vooruit wants to keep electric heaters as a sustainable alternative. We are committed to supporting owners who want to make the transition.In this way, we will make the hospitality sector ready for the future, and it will remain enjoyable for everyone to drink or eat outside.
Balancing night rest and night culture
Vooruit also wants clear and fair rules when it comes to the quality of life. That is why we are introducing the agent of change principle. This principle, already applied in cities like London, protects existing bars and nightlife spots from closure due to complaints from new residents.
Anyone who moves next door to a pub knows there is life there. That is why we put the responsibility on the promoter. Anyone who erects a new building near an existing pub or restaurant must provide the necessary sound insulation for themselves. And anyone opening a new establishment in an existing residential area must take measures to respect the sleep of local residents. So the principle works both ways, making the rules of the game clear for everyone. This is how we keep the balance between life in the city and peace in the neighbourhood.
Brussels is alive. And it should stay that way. Vooruit ensures that tomorrow you will still have a café on the corner, a place to sit on a warm terrace and a neighbourhood that is bustling and pleasant for everyone.